Alfred T Donaldson

Alfred Taylor Donaldson, 90, of Streetsboro, peacefully passed away on October 14, 2022 surrounded by loving family and friends. Born in Celina, TN on May 20, 1932 to James Walter and Annie Chilton Donaldson, he was the eighth of ten children, all of whom have gone to be with the Lord except for brother Leon Donaldson, age 101, of Knoxville, TN. Alfred lived most of his life in Northeast Ohio, first in Akron then moving to Streetsboro in  1979. He was a veteran of the United States Air Force, serving in the Korean War. He retired from Ford Motor Company in 1993 after 44 years of employment, starting in the Walton Hills plant and ending as the company insurance representative. He was a proud member of the UAW Local 420 of Walton Hills and made many longtime friends at work and through union activities. Alfred loved going to church every Sunday and was a man of deep faith. He was one of the founding members of the Maplewood Christian Church in Ravenna, Ohio, where he attended for over 30 years. Alfred’s door was always open to his many friends, who would visit for a cup of coffee and to share some news. Alfred’s great loves were his children and granddaughter, Alexa. Alfred read the newspaper every day while enjoying a cup of coffee, a Little Debbie snack cake and a banana. He loved watching sports, especially the Browns and Indians. Growing up, he played on his high school football team. He enjoyed cutting his lawn and grew a big garden every year, sharing what he grew with family and friends. He was a great cook, well-known for his southern breakfasts of sausage gravy and biscuits and for his Christmas fudge. He also enjoyed attending Ford functions, family get-togethers, and eating at local restaurants, where he was a favorite of many servers. He especially loved playing a game of cards, and loved to win at Skip-Bo and poker. While he called it pushing quarters, he liked them pushed his way. Attending family reunions at Standing Stone State Park in TN was another activity he loved. Alfred is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 36 years, Jean (Clem) Donaldson, his longtime companion of 18 years, Marie Zivick, and dear friend Betty Allman. He is survived by caring children Alfred Taylor Donaldson Jr. and Rebecca Ann Donaldson, granddaughter Alexa (Jameson) Huebner, and honorary children Michelle Zuchowsky and Jason Ball.  Services will be held on Thursday, October 20 from 6-8 p.m. at Shorts Funeral Home in Streetsboro. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Maplewood Christian Church, 7300 OH-88, Ravenna, Ohio 44266. A memorial service will be held at Maplewood Christian Church at a later date, with ashes to be scattered at the Donaldson family cemetery in Tennessee.  Condolences and memories of Alfred may be shared with his family at www.sscfuneralhomes.com.